The above document stands as the sole basis for the Incline Village determination to convert all Incline public schools to an International Baccalaureate system. Meetings for the Task Force were held at 10:00 AM and averaged between and hour and an hour and a half. The primary purpose of the Task Force was stated at the first meeting on 02/12/09 as developing a course of action to counter the declining enrollment trend. It is important to note that while the Task Force took recorded votes on the time of the meeting and whether or not to have a Chairperson, there is NO EVIDENCE of a final vote ever having been taken by the Task Force to proceed with the implementation of IB. The first mention of "I.B." in the minutes refers to the "Indo-British Education Society & Vision International" on 02/26/09.
On
04/09/09, Jeni Cross' International Baccalaureate power point presentation is listed on the Agenda. Guest Sue Shannon, Principal of the
Whittell MS/HS addresses the Task Force. It is unclear why Ms. Shannon was brought in to address the Task Force as Whittell is not an IB school. There had been discussion about the possibility of closing Incline MS and a 4 day schoolweek, both of which were dismissed. The tiny Whittell school (7-12) has 270 students. Shannon points out that the tiny school and merging of the MS & HS has resulted in:
- Smaller schedule - less electives
- 7th Principal in 10 years - lack of stability and confidence in community
It is at this meeting that Jeni Cross announces, "Putting IB in all three schools and marketing it as such will increase student enrollment. IB is a proven program and will serve as a beacon."
On
04/23/09, the Ski Academy and IB are the remaining options on the table. Immersion has been ruled out at this time, but noted as something that could be introduced later.
Gary Lee announces that a local individual has donated $25,000 for IB, that they will need another $100,000 for initial start-up costs, and that IB will cost $25,000 per year for all three schools.
Jeni Cross cites Jay Mathews' book "Supertest" and proposes marketing Incline as "The Education Destination at the Lake". She states that the IBDP will be implemented first at the HS and announces an
06/03/09 IB meeting at IVHS.
At this same meeting, former Superintendent Paul Dugan announces that he will be leaving as of 08/01/09. He throws his full support and $5,000 behind IB, as well as supporting the Ski Academy which he stated they "WILL make it work in the coming year".
Guest Laurel Jones inquires why the Task Force never looked into Core Knowledge programs.
(Note by TAIB) NO VOTE WAS EVER TAKEN BY THE TASK FORCE TO APPROVE THE K-12 ADOPTION OF IB AND THE SKI ACADEMY OPTION HAS COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED FROM SUBSEQUENT PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS!___________________________________________________________________________________________
** Application A for IVHS to become an IB Diploma school was submitted on
September 29, 2009.
